Jackie Chan, the iconic action movie superstar, has made a striking return to martial arts thrillers with his latest film, fulfilling long-standing expectations from fans and critics alike. The new Jackie Chan action thriller, The Shadow’s Edge, delivers intense, skillful storytelling and has captivated audiences this year.
Written and directed by Larry Yang, The Shadow’s Edge is a remake of the 2007 Hong Kong action thriller Eye in the Sky. In this film, Jackie Chan stars as Wong Tak-Chung, a retired elite agent drawn back into a high-stakes battle against a criminal mastermind. He teams up with rookie officer He Qiuguo, portrayed by Zhang Zifeng, to rebuild a specialized surveillance team. Alongside Tony Leung Ka-fai, Ci Sha, Jun, Xing Yu, and Yuen Qiu, Chan navigates a gripping cat-and-mouse game against the elusive villain Fu Longsheng. The film’s tense plot revolves around their attempt to outwit a group of criminal prodigies who have stolen billions while evading capture through an advanced “Sky Eye” surveillance system.
Strong Audience Response and Critical Acclaim for The Shadow’s Edge
The Shadow’s Edge has swiftly gained acclaim from viewers, reflected in an impressive 97% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter, with over 100 verified reviews. Fans have expressed enthusiastic approval of Chan’s return to more grounded and intense action roles, marking a distinct shift from his recent more comedic or CGI-involved projects.
One satisfied viewer commented,
“Given Jackie Chan’s more recent efforts, I think I can be forgiven for entering The Shadow’s Edge with tempered expectations, especially after bumbling around with CGI panda cubs or passing himself off as a digitally de-aged Han Dynasty soldier. What I ultimately got was a thrilling cat-and-mouse thriller and a considerable return to form for Jackie, offering up one of his best films in years.”
Larry Yang’s direction and Chan’s performance together have drawn praise for delivering a compelling and tightly woven narrative.
Another fan enthusiastically wrote,
“BEST MOVIE OF 2025: The Shadow’s Edge I will be rewatching this in theatre and then buying it to rewatch a million times over when it’s available!!”
Comments like this underscore the strong connection the film has created with its audience and its standing as a must-watch for action movie lovers.
The Shadow’s Edge’s Box Office Success and Plot Overview
Beyond critical and audience acclaim, the film has performed impressively at the box office, grossing over RMB 1 billion. Its blend of sophisticated surveillance gameplay, strategy, and tense confrontations has clearly resonated with both domestic and international viewers.
The storyline centers on a heist by a highly skilled team of criminals who evade capture by fooling the “Sky Eye” surveillance network. The Macau police enlist Wong Tak-Chung, the legendary tracking expert played by Jackie Chan, who mentors He Qiuguo and helps rebuild an elite surveillance unit tasked with capturing the elusive thief known as the “Wolf King,” Fu Longsheng.
The struggle intensifies as the police edge closer to the thieves, who counter with their own strategic traps. The film highlights mental duels, shifting loyalties, and tactical ingenuity, culminating in an intense cat-and-mouse confrontation. The official synopsis describes it as:
“A crew of criminal prodigies disappear with billions, evading capture by outsmarting the formidable ‘Sky Eye’ surveillance system. Desperate and outmanoeuvred, the Macau police enlist the help of a legend—Wong Tak-Chung (Jackie Chan), a retired tracking expert. He mentors rookie officer He Qiuguo (Zhang Zifeng) and rebuilds an elite surveillance unit. Their mission: to track down the elusive ‘Wolf King,’ Fu Longsheng (Tony Leung Ka Fai), the mastermind behind the heist. As the police close in, the thieves spring a trap of their own. Brains clash, loyalties are tested, and the ultimate cat-and-mouse game is about to begin…”
Jackie Chan’s Ongoing Career and Upcoming Projects
At age 71, Jackie Chan remains a formidable presence in the action genre. His enduring popularity is supported by multiple upcoming projects in various stages of development. These include the new action thriller Five Against a Bullet, a potential continuation of the New Police Story series, the sequel Panda Plan 2, and the long-anticipated Rush Hour 4.
This steady stream of forthcoming releases signals that Chan continues to evolve as an action hero, blending experience with fresh storytelling. The success of The Shadow’s Edge reinforces his ability to draw audiences not only through physical prowess but also through compelling narratives and complex characters.
As Jackie Chan advances in his career, The Shadow’s Edge stands out as a significant achievement in his filmography. It renews his reputation for delivering action thrillers that combine thrilling sequences with intelligent plotting, marking a high point that may influence his future roles and sustain audience interest worldwide.
